Folding box construction



June 25, 1963 Filed Aug. 2

S. CONESCU FOLDING BOX CONSTRUCTION FIG.1

2 Sheets-Sheet 1 F12 /IZC FIG.2

INVENTOR.

Sidney Conescu y M77 W AT TORNEY June 25, 1963 s. CONESCU 3,095,136

FOLDING BOX CONSTRUCTION Filed Aug. 2, 1962 .2 Sheets-Sheet 2 13 INVENTOR.

Sidney Conescu ATTORNEY ilnite This invention relates in general to a folding box construction, and more specifically to an open end box and top therefor, each of which is formed of a single blank of sheet material constructed and arranged to set up between an intermediate prefolded knockdown position and box erected position.

To conserve shipping and storage space, outer cartons and boxes employed for shipping and storing an article are generally shipped or sold in their flat, disassembled or knockdown form. For this reason the user was obliged to assemble the box or carton before it could be properly utilized. Heretofore, such outer cartons and boxes consisted of relatively complex shapes and forms that were relatively dl). rcult to construct and/ or assemble. Further, the assembly of these known constructions in many instances constituted a relatively tedious and time consuming task.

An object of this invention is to provide for an open end box or carton construction formed of a single blank of sheet material that is relatively simple in form and easy to assemble.

Another object is to provide an outer box construction which can be shipped to the user thereof in a partially assembled form so that final assembly may be quickly and easily completed with a minimum of effort.

Still another object is to provide a knockdown box construction formed from a single blank of sheet material defining a bottom panel and connected side panels, the latter being of a width such that in the knockdown position of the box the side panels overlap the bottom panel and each other.

Still another object is to provide a knockdown box having improved corner flap constructions.

A feature of this invention resides in the provision of a box construction formed of a single blank of sheet material in which the respective panels thereof are prefolded and secured together so as to be readily set up from a knockdown collapsed position in which the bottom, side panels and one end panel of the box are in a flattened overlapping position to a box erected position.

Another feature of this invention resides in the provision of a box construction formed of a prefolded blank which can be readily set up from a flattened collapsed position to a box erected position and be returned in said former position without further resorting to the use of any bonding or adhesive material.

Other features and advantages Will become more readily apparent to one skilled in the art when considered in view of the drawings and description thereof in which:

FIG. 1 is a plan veiw of the blank from which the box of this invention is formed.

FIG. 2 is the prefolded collapsed position of the box construction formed from the blank of FIG. 1.

FIG. 3 illustrates a perspective view of the box in its partially erected position.

FIG. 4 illustrates the box construction as it approaches its box erected position.

FIG. 5 is a plan view of a blank from which the top of the box is formed.

FIG. 6 is a plan view of the prefolded collapsed position of the box top or blank of FIG. 5.

FIG. 7 is a perspective View of the top in its partially erected position.

Referring to the drawings, FIG. 1 illustrates the exgrates Fatent a &3

panded blank 10 from which the box is formed. The blank 10 comprises a single sheet of cardboard, paper board or the like which can be readily die cut, creased and folded. As shown, the blank 10 is preshaped so as to define a bottom panel 11 having integrally connected, relative wide or deep side panels 12 and 13 connected to opposed edge portions of the bottom panel 11 along fold lines F12, and F13. Connected along fold lines F14 and F15 to the other opposed edges of the bottom panel are a front end panel 14 and rear end panel 15. An end flap 16 is connected to the rear end panel 15 along fold line F16.

In-tegrally connected to the side edges of the rear end panel 15 and the adjacent edges of side panels 12, 13 are corner flaps 17. As shown each corner flap 17 is integrally connected to the rear end panel along fold line F17 and to the side panels by fold line F18, each of which constitute extensions of fold lines F12 or F13, and F15, respectively. A diagonally extending fold line F19 partitions the respective corner flaps 17 into a side corner flap portion 17A and a rear end corner flap portion 17B. Intermediate the diagonal fold line F19 is a semicircular split or die cut 19. As will be hereinafter described the portion or tab 20 defined by die cut 19 of the respective corner flaps 17 serves to reinforce the corner connection in the folded position of the blank 10.

A second pair of corner flaps 21 are connected along fold lines F20 to the opposed side edges of the front end panel 14.

As shown, each side panel 12 and 13 is provided with a diagonally extending fold line F21, F22 respectively. Fold lines F21, F22 extend from the corner juncture of the respective side panels 12, 13 to a point on the outer edges thereof. Accordingly the respective fold linees F21, F22 define a side panel corner portion 12A, 13A respectively, which in the folded position of the blank 10 are adapted to be reversely folded about their respective fold lines so as to overlie the outside surface, or undersurface of the blank as viewed in HQ. 1, of the adjacent side panel port-ion.

According to this invention, portions of the blank 10, described, are coated with a suitable adhesive or bonding agent, such as glue or the like. As shown the end corner portion 17B of each corner flap 17 is provided with a layer of adhesive 25. The rear end panel 15 is also provided with a layer of adhesive 26 covering an area correspond ing the coated area 2.5 of the respective corner fiap portions 17B. Also the central portion of end flap 16 is coated at 27 with similar adhesive, as is a corresponding area 28 of the end panel 15. The side corner portions 12A, 13A of side panels 12 and 13 are also coated at.

12B, 13B with a layer of adhesive. So far as described coated areas 26 and 23 of the rear end panel 15, coated area 27 of end flap 16, coated areas 25 of the corner flaps 17, and coated areas 12B, 13B of the side panels 12, 13 lie on the same side of the blank 10.

Corner flaps 21 are each provided with an area 21A thereof which is coated with suitable adhesive. However, it Will be noted that coated areas 21A are disposed on the under side of the blank as viewed in FIG. 1, i.e., areas 21A are coated on the opposite side of the coated areas previously described.

The preformed blank 11 is preferably sold and shipped to a customer in a knockdown intermediate stage, one from which the box may be readily erected with a minimum of effort. This intermediate stage or knockdown position of the blank 10 is attained by first folding either side panel, e.g., panel 12 and the connecting corner flap 17 about their respective fold lines F12, F17 so as to overlie the bottom panel 11 and rear end panel 15 as seen in FIG. 2. In this folded position of the blank 10 the adhesive area 25 of corner flap 17 will overlie and adhere to the corresponding coated area 26 of the rear panel 15. The corner portion 12A of side panel 12 is then folded about fold line F21 so that edge 12C thereof is disposed substantially coincident to fold line F12. See FIG. 2. In this position the coated area 1213 of the side corn-er portion 12A is exposed, i.e., faces upwardly as viewed in FIG. 2. s

The other side panel 13 and connected corner flap 17 is similarly folded about fold lines F13, F17 so that they overlie the previously folded side panel 12 and corner flap 17, as seen in FIG. 2. It will be noted that in the folded position described coated area 25 of the other corner flap 17 will adhere to the corresponding coated portion 26 of the end panel 15. Side corner portion 13A is then folded about fold line F22 to overlie its side panel 13 so that its edge 13C is disposed substantially coincident with fold line F13. With the blank so folded, the end fiap 16 is reversely folded about its fold line F16 so as to overlie the end corner flap portions 17B and end panel 15. In doing so the complementary coated portion 27 of the end flap 16 and coated area 28 of the end panel 15 will adhere to one another. In this position it will be noted that the edges 17C are tucked under the opposed end portions 16A of the end flap 16.

The corner flaps 2,1 are next reversely folded about their respective fold line F28 to overlie front end panel 14. This fold exposes the coated surfaces 21A of the corner flap 21 so that when the end panel 14- and overlying corner flaps 21 are folded about fold line F14, the

complementary coated portions 12B of the side corner portions 12A and 21A of the corner flaps 21 adhere to one another. Thus the blank assumes the collapsed knockdown position as shown in FIG. 2. I If desired the blank as folded in FIG. 2, may be folded once again about fold line F so that the rear end panel 15 overlies the front end panel.

However, with the blank in the preferred collapsed position as shown in FIG. 2, it will be seen that the prefolded blank, as described, can be readily positioned to box erect position with a minimum of effort. With the box in the collapsed position of FIG. 2, all that is required to erect the box is to merely raise the front end panel 14 about fold line F14 so that it is disposed normal to the bottom panel 11, as viewed in FIG. 3. In doing so the corner portions 12A, 13A of the side panels 12, 13 are raised so that as best seen in FIG. 3, the corner flaps 21 secured thereto are positioned normal to the connected front end in the erected position thereof. Substantially simultaneously with the raising of front end panel 14, the rear end panel 15 is folded about its fold line F15, as'seen'in FIG. 3. Raising end panel 15 will cause the corner flaps 17 to break along their respective diagonal fold lines F19, so that in box erected position corner portions 17A overlie portions 173. Thus it will be observed in FIG. 3 that the tab portion remains adhered to end panel 15, and thus enhances the strength to the corner portions.

To maintain the box in erected position all that is required is to tuck the upper end portions 17D of the corner flaps 1'7 under the end portionsltiA of the reversely folded end fiap 16,; as seen in FIG. 4. Lazy S shape die cuts 16B are formed in end flap 16 to facilitate tucking the corner flap 17A under end flaps 16. Thus it will be noted that the arrangement of the blank is such that the box is rendered practically self-erecting from the collapsed preformed position of FIG. 2 upon raising of the opposed end panels 14 and 15. No additional use of an adhesive is required to maintain the box in erected position. Further it is to be noted that the corner flaps 17 remain in their c'o-planar flat position in either position of the box. Also in the collapsed position the respective corner flaps 17 and 21 are in co-planar fiat positions. For this reason the folded blank of FIG.

2 occupies a minimum vertical height in the collapsed position. Therefore, more collapsed boxes may be stacked one on the other in a given vertical distance and thereby enable more of the blanks to be vertically stacked in a given space.

The blank 30 from which the top for the box is formed is seen in FIG. 5. Blank 30 is likewise formed from a suitable die cut material such as paperboard, cardboard and the like. Essentially it defines a top panel 31 with opposed side panels 32 connected thereto along fold lines F32. End panels 33 are connected along fold lines F33 to the other opposed edges of the top panel. Connected to the opposed ends of each end panel 33 are corner flaps 34. Each corner flap 34 is foldable relative to connected end panel along fold line F34.

Each side panel 32 is provided with diagonal fold lines F35 that extend from the corner junction of the panel 32 to a point on the outer edge thereof to define opposed corner portions 32A. According to this invention the corner portions 3 2A are coated with a layer of suitable bonding agent or adhesive as shown. The corner flaps 34 on the opposite or back side of the blank 30, as viewed in FIG. 5, each have a corresponding area coated with a suitable adhesive as indicated at 34A.

Preassembly of the box top 30 is had by folding the respective sides 32 onto the top panel 31. The corner portions 32A are then folded along diagonal fold line F35 so that the coated portions are face up. The corner flaps 34 are then folded about fold lines F34 onto the end panels 34 as viewed in FIG. 5. The respective end panels 33 together with their folded corner flaps 34- are then folded about fold lines F33 so that the corresponding coated portions 34A of flaps 34' adhere to coated corner portion 32A of side panels 32. The top is thus. preformed. Preferably the top is delivered to the custorner in its folded, preformed collapsed position as shown in FIG. 6. Thus to erect the top, all that is required is for the user to rotate the end panels 33 to erected position as shown in FIG. 7. In doing so, the side panels are automatically raised to erected position. Thus the top, as the box itself, hereinbefore described is practically self-erecting.

From the foregoing it will be apparent that both the box and its cover or top can be readily erected from the collapsed position to erected position with a minimum of effort and waste of time.

While the instant invention has been disclosed with reference to a particular embodiment, it is to be appreciatedthat the invention is not to be taken as limited to all of the details thereof as modifications and variations thereof maybe made without departing from the spirit or scope of the invention.

What is claimed is: r

A knockdown folding box construction having a full, open top and adapted to set up between knockdown and erected positions whereby said full open top box is selfsupporting in the erected position comprising (a) a blank of sheet material defining a bottom panel having opposed side panels and end panels connected thereto along respective fold lines, I t (b) said side panels being of a width so that in, the knockdown position of said box said side panels overlap said bottom panel and one another; (0) a first pair of corner flaps integrally connected between one end panel and the adjacent side panels along fold lines that constitute extensions of the fold lines between the bottom panel and the adjacent I sides and end panels,

(d) and a second pair of corner flaps connected along respective fold lines extending along the side edges of the other end panel only, I

(e) each of said side panels having a diagonally'ex- I tending crease line extending between the juncture ofsaid side panels and said other end panel and a point on the outer edge of said side panels to define in each of said side panels a side corner portion which is adapted to be reversely folded along said crease line onto its respective side panel in the knockdown position of said box,

(1) and said second pair of corner flaps and side corner portions of the respective side panels being coated on opposite surfaces of the blank with a layer of bonding material so that in the folded position of said blank the opposed coated portions of said second pair of corner flaps and side corner portions of the side panel adjacent thereto are bonded to one another whereby the said second pair of corner flaps and end panel connected therebetween are in-folded only in fiat overlying position with respect to said bottom panel in the knockdown position of the box and disposed normal to their connected end panels and the bottom panel in the erected position of said box;

(g) said first pair of corner flaps being each provided with a diagonal crease line for defining an end corner flap portion and a side corner flap portion;

(it) said first pair of corner flaps being folded in overlying position on the end panel therebetween in the knockdown position;

(i) means for adhering the respective end corner flap portions to the end panel disposed therebetween in the folded position of said blank so that in the knockdown position of said box said first pair of corner flaps overlie said adjacent end panel in an outfolded position and in the erected position of said box said first pair of corner flaps are reversely bent inwardly of the box along said diagonal crease line;

( j) an end flap connected to said outfolded end panel only along a fold line about which it is reversely folded in the folded position of said blank;

(k) means for adhering the central portion of said end flap to its adjacent end panel in the folded position of said blank so that in the erected position of said box the end portions of said end flap overlie the inwardly bent corner flap adjacent thereto to maintain said box in its self-supporting, erected position thereof,

(1) and a die cut formed intermediate the ends of said end flap to facilitate overlapping the ends of the end flap over the edges of the said corner flap portions in the erected position of the box.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS FOREIGN PATENTS Australia Aug. 15, 

